My Cards and Tags: Giving Thanks Tag using Right at Home's Quirky Acorns stamps

This week's theme for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog is thanks/thanksgiving.  I made a "Give Thanks" tag using a great stamp and die set from Right at Home called, "Quirky Acorns."

I started with Strathmore Mixed Media paper that I cut into a tag shape using the Sizzix Tag Collection die set.  I plastered on some white paint through Altenew's Halftone stencil.  I added Infusions and spritzed it with water.

I started cutting some acorns and loved the negative shape left in the paper squares I'd cut the acorn shapes out of.  I decided to use those as a decorative element in the background.  I finger-painted some Dina Wakley paint onto them and laid them out on my tag.

I glued my squares in place and added some of the other acorn elements I cut and stamped.  

I finished off my acorns by adding the acorn toppers that I colored with Distress Ink.  I colored around my squares with a black Sharpie.  I also added a blue and white wash over everything with my new favorite shade of Prima Impasto paint: Mediterranean.  I used some Tim Holtz washi tape to create a background area for my "Give Thanks" sentiment, which I typed out on my We R Memory Makers typewriter and glued onto my tag.

Here are the supplies I used, which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Right At Home Quirky Acorns Clear Stamps	Right At Home Quirky Acorns Die Set	Altenew Halftone Stencil	Paper Artsy RUSTY CAR Infusions Colored Stain CS17	Paper Artsy LEMONCELLO Infusions Colored Stain CS04
Sizzix Big Shot	Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits Tag Collection dies	We R Memory Keepers Mint Typewriter	Tim Holtz Idea-ology JOURNEY Design Tape	Tim Holtz Idea-ology VINTAGE Design Tape
Prima Impasto paint, Pumpkin	Prima Impasto Paint Mediterranean	Dina Wakley Olive Acrylic paint	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Dina Wakley OCEAN heavy body acrylic paints
Dina Wakley Black Heavy Body Acrylic Paint	Tim Holtz DISTRESS SPRAYER	Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Walnut Stain - Distress Ink	Tim Holtz Distress Twisted Citron Ink Pad
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad LUCKY CLOVER Ranger	Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad	Viva Decor PALETTE KNIFE SET

There are so many things to be thankful for and I can't wait to see how you interpret our theme this week!  Upload your creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store.

My Cards and Tags: Christmas Tree ATC's

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog we're being challenged to make our own backgrounds!  And we're using fabulous Carabelle Studio products.  I made a Christmas tree ATC trio.

I started with Strathmore Mixed Media paper cut into ATC size.  I stamped circles with Carabelle Studio's "Ronds" texture printing plate.  It's meant to be used with gelli printing, but I use these as stamps.  I heat-embossed the image with white embossing powder.  I then sprayed Marabu acrylic art spray and Distress Ink Sprays onto the paper, spritzed with water and added some Infusions color stain.

Next I used Carabelle's huge "Stitched Mixed Media" background stamp.  This came as one big stamp, but I cut it into sections.  I know!  It was scary to cut up a stamp, but I say if you can make your stamps more versatile and suited to YOU, then go for it!

I stamped some images onto my cards with Distress Embossing Ink, then heat-embossed them with black embossing powder.

I had a collage sheet leftover from another project I made that is filled with washi tape and color.  I cut that into circular frames and scalloped sections, which I glued onto my cards.

The colors were looking a bit too crazy and these cards lacked a focal area, so I toned them back down a bit with white and added trees and sentiments.

I also added some snow made with white paint and a Simon stencil.

The sentiments are from a couple of Flora and Fauna stamp sets and another one by Hello Bluebird.

I won't say that I'll get ahead of the holiday game this year, but at least this post is proof that I was thinking about Christmas when it was still early in November!

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Carabelle Studio Ronds Art Printing Texture Plate	Carabelle Studio Stitched Mixed Media Background stamp	Flora and Fauna Mini Aviary	Flora and Fauna Mini Holiday Van clear stamps
Hello Bluebird Typed Christmas clear stamps	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink	Ranger Embossing Powder SUPER FINE WHITE EPJ36678	Ranger-Embossing-Powder-BLACK-SPARKLE	Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow Stencil
Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Marabu Raspberry Acrylic Art Spray	Marabu Petrol Acrylic Art Spray	Marabu Caribbean Acrylic Art Spray	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain in Twisted Citron
Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain MUSTARD SEED	Pink and Main Scallop Border Dies	Sizzix Big Shot	Paper Artsy RUSTY CAR Infusions Colored Stain CS17	Paper Artsy VIOLETTA Infusions Colored Stain CS22
Paper Artsy A BIT JADED Infusions Colored Stain	Tim Holtz DISTRESS SPRAYER	Acrylic Blocks: Couture Creations	Ranger HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL	Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad
Ranger Non Stick Craft Sheet

I can't wait to see you create your own fantastic backgrounds this week!  Be sure to upload your projects to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to Simon Says Stamp!